We
have been assured that Wuji Tableaux are like nothing you’ve
experienced before. That, you may retort, is a bold statement.
Well, how many self-described “Dharma Pop/Chinese poetry”
acts have you seen lately? Their baroque-pop cabaret won over
attendees at their earlier Troy performance last April; one
wag was moved to write that Wuji Tableaux’s “music is delightful,
whimsically serious, lyrical with high energy, profound and
unique.” It’s hard to add anything to that. Also appearing
will be singer-songwriter Tom Ross, whose tunes are a blend
of world music, American jazz and poetry. Ross takes his inspiration
from sources like Pablo Neruda, Emily Dickinson and the immortal
Krazy Kat comic strip. You remember—Krazy Kat was a cat in
love with Ignatz the mouse; Ignatz would regularly slam Krazy
Kat in the head with a brick (that’s love for you). We can’t
add anything to that, either. (Oct. 10, 8 PM, $10,
$5 student, 274-7793)

Jonathan
RichmanValentine’s,
Friday

Jonathan
Richman really seems to love Valentine’s. He’s performed there,
to adoring audiences, a buttload of times, and he’s coming
back to play a special happy-hour show on Friday. Those who
know and love him will be there with bells on, no doubt—he
can whip even the stiffest Albany crowds into a frenzy—but
in case you don’t know and love him (Seattle Times has
said, “There are two types of people in this world: Jonathan
Richman fans, and those that aren’t yet aware that they are
Jonathan Richman fans”), here’s some lowdown. Founder of the
influential proto-punk band the Modern Lovers, Richman struck
out on his own in the early ’80s, recording poetic pop and
dabbling in county and Latin music, with nearly a couple dozen
records to show for it. His rock & roll ballads touch
even a frosty heart, and his quirky delivery and boyish persona
don’t hurt none. Perhaps you’re aware of his appearance, with
his drummer Tommy Larkins (who will be with him on Friday),
in There’s Something About Mary,but you should
become better acquainted with “Vampire Girl,” on the archetypal
intrigue of goth chicks, and “I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar,”
about his nightclub exploits. (Oct. 10, 6 PM, $10, 432-6572)

Tony
Levin and Rachel Z.The
Van Dyck, Saturday

Tony
Levin is probably best known as Peter Gabriel’s bassist of
choice, though he’s played with King Crimson, Paul Simon,
Lou Reed and a whole host of others. On Saturday, he’s turning
up at the Van Dyck to lend a hand to another musician in the
frequent employ of Mr. Gabriel, pianist Rachel Z. As you might
guess—given Gabriel’s taste in support players—Z.’s got a
lengthy list of accomplishments of her own. Among many others,
she’s played with jazz and fusion greats like Wayne Shorter,
Larry Coryell and Stanley Clarke, and she’s established herself
as a solid fusion artist in her own right. In 2002, she released
a full-length work of Joni Mitchell covers, which we’re guessing
she’s more than eager to unleash on an audience, since shortly
after the album hit the shelves she was off on another jaunt
around the globe with Gabriel. (Oct. 11, 7 and 9:30 PM,
$15, 381-1111)

Catch
22Valentine’s,
Saturday

“The
scene in New Jersey was alive but stagnant,” explains the
press bio for punksters Catch 22, “and young Kevin Gunther
was determined to bring something new and refreshing to the
world of punk rock.” This was in 1996. Since then Gunther
and the ska-lovin’ cats (they were the first ska band signed
to Victory records) have put out two albums (Keasbey Nights
and Alone in a Crowd) and an EP (Washed Up!);
toured with the Suicide Machines and Agent Orange; and built
a legion of “sweaty, loyal, screaming fans.” Catch 22 are
a little bit punk, a little bit more ska (they have a horn
section) and completely high-
energy—and they have a brand spankin’ new disc due in November,
Dinosaur Sounds. (Expect plenty of this spankin’ new
material at the show.) Also on the program for this all-ages
show will be Boys Night Out, the Goodwill and Worthless United.
(Oct. 11, 8 PM, $12, 432-6572)

Jupiter
Circle, David GreenburgerCaffe
Lena, Sunday

Senior-citizen
dialogue meets chamber music as David Greenburger teams up
with the quintet Jupiter Circle on Sunday at Caffe Lena. The
performers go for an intimate feel as Greenburger shares comical
stories formed from conversations with residents of nursing
homes and senior centers, while Elizabeth Woodbury, composer
for Jupiter Circle, draws from many different sounds such
as classical, jazz and a diverse collection of world music
influences. The Duplex Planet, which is Greenburger’s
ongoing work of discussions with seniors, began in 1979 with
a magazine that is still published today. More than 20 years
later, his Planet has transformed into book collections, spoken-word
recordings, a radio show and gallery exhibitions. Jupiter
Circle will feature violinist Michael Emery, cellist-bassist
Jeff Parker, woodwinds by Mike Flanagan, percussionist Zak
Trojano and Woodbury on piano. (Oct. 12, 7 PM, $10, $6
seniors and students, 583-0022)

Technically,
Matchbox Twenty are headlining this show, but it’s Fountains
of Wayne making the kids dizzy, thanks to the heavy rotation
of their mesmeric sing-along, “Stacy’s Mom.” Their candy pop
is the kind that makes teeth fall out. Originally from New
Jersey, Fountains of Wayne have enjoyed moderate success with
two excellent albums prior to their newest, Welcome Interstate
Managers (S-Curve/EMI). But an already infectious song,
with a video featuring Rachel Hunter as, well, Stacy’s mom,
have flung this act into the consciousness of otherwise Matchbox
Twenty fans nationwide. Frontman Adam Schlesinger has had
his fingers in all kinds of pop happenings: He’s in the laid-back
pop band Ivy and is partner of Scratchie Records along with
James Iha and D’Arcy of Smashing Pumpkins. He also got an
Academy Award nomination for cowriting the title track for
That Thing You Do!, a song meant to epitomize all things
irresistible and fun about early 1960s pop—a feeling his current
band certainly captures. So maybe Matchbox Twenty are the
reason his show is now standing-room only, but there’s no
way on earth that Fountains of Wayne should be overlooked;
their songs are catchier, smarter and more fun. (Oct. 15,
7:30 PM, $29.50, 798-0366)

also
noted

The
boys are back in town, at least some of them, when
Thin Lizzy return for a performance at Northern
Lights tonight (Thursday); the band, minus their
frontman, vocalist-bassist Phil Lynott (who died
in 1986 at age 35), is composed of Lizzy guitarists
Scott Gorham and John Sykes (who also
was with Whitesnake for their best-selling albums),
as well as Michael Lee on drums and Randy
Gregg on bass. Opening the show are Aztec
Jade and Enertia (7:30 PM doors, $15,
$12 advance, 371-0012). . . . Caffe Lena presents
a high-energy double bill on Friday, with folk-rock
activist Sonia (of ’90s duo Disappear Fear)
and the Steph Pappas Band, fronted by throaty
singer (think Joan Armatrading) and talented guitarist
Pappas, backed by violin and trumpet (8 PM, $12,
583-0022). . . . Pat Dinizio, lead singer
and songwriter for college-rock cult band the Smithereens,
will return to Troy tomorrow (Friday), this time
at another Art Fredette-booked club, All Sports
Pub (Fredette brought him to his Lansingburgh Station
last year). Dinizio will perform Smithereens songs
as well as some new tunes and a cover or two, with
notable area singer-songwriters Rob Skane and
Erin Harkes opening (8 PM, $10, 687-0064).
. . . The Sixfifteens [see Listen Here, page
40] will play Valentine’s on Saturday, with Scientific
Maps and NYC-based Blend Engine opening
(10 PM, $5, 432-6572). . . . Singer-songwriter Mindy
Jostyn, who Joe Jackson has said “has at least
enough talent for three normal people” (she was
an established sidewoman to Jackson, as well as
Billy Joel, John Mellancamp, Shania Twain and Carly
Simon) will play the Spencertown Academy on Saturday
(8 PM, $12, 392-3693). . . . Annual benefit fashion
show Discard Avant Garb will take place at the Club
Phoenix on Sunday, with live performances by MotherJudge,
Mitch Elrod and the Erotics mingling
with high-couture fashion created from recycled
material. Mary Panza hosts the event, which also
includes food, prizes and dancing. Proceeds benefit
Youth Advancement Through Music and Art and the
Ark (6:30 PM, $15, $12 advance, 462-4862).